Tennessee football moves back up SEC Power Rankings with win at LSU

Oct 8, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) recovers a fumble against LSU Tigers safety Greg Brooks Jr. (3) and defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (92) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) recovers a fumble against LSU Tigers safety Greg Brooks Jr. (3) and defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (92) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
11 of 14
Oct 8, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (1) celebrates withy teammates Jeremy James (78) and Jayden Williams (71) after a 71 yard touchdown catch against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the third quarter at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV – USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (1) celebrates withy teammates Jeremy James (78) and Jayden Williams (71) after a 71 yard touchdown catch against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the third quarter at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV – USA TODAY Sports

Defeated Vanderbilt Commodores 52-28

Maybe a drop from No. 2 to No. 4 with a blowout win is a bit harsh. After all, Ole Miss did end up beating Vanderbilt easily, regardless of what may have happened in the first half. However, it wasn’t just struggling ealry on with Vandy that knocked Ole Miss down to the worst of the undefeateds in the SEC.

What teams like Tennessee football did also had an impact. Most notably, though, Ole Miss’ quality win over Kentucky doesn’t look as good anymore given the fact that Kentucky, albeit without its quarterback, just lost to South Carolina. Taking all of this into account, Lane Kiffin’s team had to fall.

That shouldn’t be anything that upsets them, though. The Rebels are still a top 10 team and have as much of a chance as anybody to win the SEC West. Given their schedule, they’ll likely stay in that race for a lot longer than expected as well, perhaps until November.

Up next is a likely easy win over Auburn at home. However, then they have their real tests, visits to LSU and Texas A&M. If they can get past both, then they have a bye, which will make their November showdown with Alabama bigger than ever. These next theee weeks are crucial, though.